Illusion apparatus



A. LAKE. ILLUSION APPARATUS.

(N0 Mode1.)

Patented Dec. 12

Inventor flmrz'ahllake y his m: mmormu UTHOGRAPNING ccMPANY.

I NZ a w m J 1 W WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMARIAH LAKE, OF PLEASANTVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

ILLUSION APPA RATU S.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,803, dated December 12, 1893.

Application filed August 18,1893. Serial No. 4831 (11011105610 To aZZ whom it mag/concern.-

Be it known that I, AMARIAHLAKE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pleasantville, New Jersey,have invented certain Improvements in Illusion Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an apparatus in the nature of a see-saw or teeter of such character that the occupants of the see-saw are subject to illusion. This illusion is effected in the manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a longitudinal section of an illusion apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a similar View showing some of the parts in a different position. Fig. 3, is a like view showing still another'position of the parts. Fig. 4, is a view showing the fixed inclosure or building in section and the parts within the same in side elevation. Fig. 5, is a sectional plan view on the line 55, Fig. 4, but showing certain doors on the internal structure open instead of closed. Fig. 6, is a transverse section on the line 6-6, Fig. 4; and Fig. '7, is an outside view of the fixed inclosure.

A represents an inclosed shed, house or like structure, preferably built partly above and partly below a sidewalk or passageway B, as shown in Fig. 7, said inclosure A having doors a on the level of said passageway or sidewalk.

Within the inclosure A are supports D for a shaft 1) which carries a box or casing F considerably less in vertical height than the inclosure A and also somewhat less in length and width than the same so that it is free to vibrate within the outer inclosure. In the sides of this box F are doors a which are in line with the doors a of the outer inclosure, the latter also having platforms a bridging the space between the same and the box F so that persons can pass from the sidewalk B into the interior of said box F when the doors a a are opened, as shown in Fig. 5, the doors a being preferably so constructed as to extend completely across the space between the outer inclosure and the interior box, so as to hide said space from the view of any one passing into the box F, although if desired a permanent casing may be employed for this pur- I pose.

Within the box F and secured to the transverse shaft b is a teeter-board or see-saw G, which has at each end pivoted boxes or cars 61 provided with suitable seats for the passengers. These cars d can be locked to the box F by means of bolts f actuated by suitable levers f f 2 and connecting rods f or the teeterboard may be rigidly supported inahorizontal position by means of braces g hung to the under side of said board and adapted to swing into engagement with suitable stops on the floor of the inclosure A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, cords g providing for the lifting of the braces out of engagement with said stops when it is desired to release the teeter-board and permit the same to vibrate. When the cars cl are not constructed so as to be locked to the box F, rods h may project downward from said cars through suitable slots in the box F and guide Openings in the floor of the "inclosure A so as to hold the cars at in horizontal position when the teeter-board vibrates independently of the box F.

To a bearing on one of the standards D is hung a standard J which is connected by a rod 1' to one side of the box F so that the box can be caused to vibrate on the transverse shaft b by manipulating said lever.

In an apparatus constructed as described the passengers may be subjected to the illusion that the teeter is in motion while it is in fact stationary, or to the illusion that the teeter is stationary, while it is in fact vibrating, or the teeter maybe used in the ordinary way.

In order to subject the passengers to the illusion that they are in motion, while they are in reality stationary, the inclosing box or casing F is tilted first in one direction and then in the other, the teeter-board G being in such case preferably locked in position by means of the braces g so that it does not partake of this tilting movement.

The interior of the box or casing F may be furnished to represent the interior of a room or apartment, the objects being of course immovably fixed in position, so that while the walls, ceiling and floor of the box, and the ob jects secured thereon are in reality moving in respect to the passengers on the stationary teeter-board, the efiect upon the minds of the 1 passengers is that of the movement of the teeter-board itself. If on the other hand it is desired to subject the passengers to the illusion that they are stationary, while in reality the teeter-board is in motion, said teeterboard may be locked to the box or casing F by means of the boltsf and maybe permitted to tilt back and forth with said box or casing by lifting the braces g out of engagement with the stops on the floor of the outerinclosure. In this case, although the passengers know that they are moving, because of the tendency first to tip forward and then backward in their seats, by reason of the changing angle of the teeter-board, they are apparently not moving, because, as the inclosure moves with them, the teeter-board always bears the same relation to the objects within the inclosure.

By unlocking the teeter-board from the inclosure F and raising the bracesg outof their locking position the teeter-board maybe used in the ordinary way, the inelosure F being held stationary. One or more movable boxes as havingweights orrepresentations of weights therein, may be mounted on the teeter-board, these boxes being adjusted in one direction or the other, depending upon the ditference in load of the opposite cars (Z so as to aid in the illusion that it is the teeter-board which vibrates.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An illusion apparatus in which a teeter- .board is combined with an inclosing box or casing mounted so as to be free to vibrate in respect to said teeter-board, substantially as specified. I

2. An illusion apparatus in which a teeterboard mounted so as to be free to vibrate on a suitable axle is combined with an inclosing box or casing also mounted so as to be free to vibrate in respect to the teeter-board, substantially as specified.

3. An illusion apparatus in which are com bined an outer inclosure, a teeter-board and a box or casing inclosing said teeter-board and mounted Within said outer iuclosure so as to be free to vibrate in respect to the teeterboard, substantially as specified.

4. The combination in an illusion apparatus, of a teeter-board, a box or casing inclosing said teeter-board, and mounted so as to be free to vibrate in respect thereto, and means for lockin g the teeter-board to said inclosing box or casing, substantially as specified.

5. The combination in an illusion apparatus, of a teeter-board, a box or casing inclosing the same and mounted so as to be free to vibrate in respect to said teeter board, and means for locking said teeter-board in position so as to prevent it from vibrating with the inclosing box or casing, substantially as specified.

6. The combination in an illusion apparatus, of a teeter-board, a box or casing inclosing the same and mounted so as to be free to vibrate in respect to said teeter-board, and means for locking the teeter-board in position to prevent it from vibrating with the iuclosing box or casing, said locking devices being movable into and out of locking position, substantially as specified.

7. The combination in an illusion apparatus, of an outer inclosing structure, a teeterboard, a box or casing inclosing said teeterboard, and mounted within said outer inclosme so as to be free to vibrate therein and in respect to the teeter-board, door-ways in said box or casing, and in the outer inclosure, and means for bridging the space between said outer inclosure and the contained box or casing, substantially as specified.

AMARIAI-I LAKE.

Witnesses:

J OSHUA LAKE, ALVIN P. RIsLEY. 

